Tupac Shakur: podcast appearances and interviews

Tupac Amaru Shakur, also known by his stage names 2Pac and Makaveli, was an American rapper and actor recognized as one of the most influential musical artists of the 20th century. Born Lesane Parish Crooks on June 16, 1971, in New York City, he was raised by his mother, Afeni Shakur, a Black Panther Party member. He moved to the San Francisco Bay Area in 1988, where his career in music and acting developed. Shakur's debut album 2Pacalypse Now was released in 1991 and established him as a central figure in West Coast hip-hop with socially and politically conscious lyrics. His subsequent albums, including Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z... and Me Against the World, received critical acclaim, while his 1996 album All Eyez on Me became the first hip-hop double album and featured hit singles like California Love and How Do U Want It. In addition to his solo work, he formed the group Thug Life and collaborated with artists such as Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, and the Outlawz. Shakur also pursued a film career, starring in movies including Juice, Poetic Justice, and Above the Rim. His life was marked by violence, legal issues, and involvement in the East Coast–West Coast hip-hop rivalry. He was shot in a drive-by shooting in September 1996 in Nevada and died six days later. Despite his death at age 25, his music continues to impact culture, with multiple posthumous albums and numerous honors, including induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.